72 | NOVEMBER 30 • 2023 
J
N

T

he largest potters fair 
in the country returns 
Nov. 30-Dec. 3 to the 
Southfield Pavilion in the 
Southfield Municipal Complex, 
and two of the returning artists, 
among the 140 artists showing 
their works, are Rachail Laine of 
Ann Arbor and George Erdstein 
of Huntington Woods.
While Laine showcases very 
functional works using a lot 
of shades of blue, Erdstein 
has functional, decorative and 
whimsical pieces that feature 
unique elements, and some of 
his work showcases murals with 
abstract scenes. 
“We are so delighted to be 
returning to the Southfield 
Pavilion,
” said Bridget Blosser, 
manager of the event in its 46th 
year. “This is when the finest 
potters in Michigan and the 
Midwest show off and sell their 
works in one place at one time.

“This year, we are thrilled to 
announce that there are 44 new 
artists in the show, along with 
the many artists who return 
every year.
”
Laine offers trays, large bowls, 
vases, mixing bowls and mugs 
among her many pieces offered 
to some 8,000 customers who 
visit the Annual Potters Market. 
“I studied ceramics in Israel 
at the end of the Yom Kippur 
War,
” said Laine, 70. “I was born 
in Israel and grew up outside Tel 
Aviv. I always liked to play with 
clay and made ceramic pieces in 
high school.
”
Laine belongs to the Cherry 
Hill Potters Guild in Canton and 
also sells her works at the annual 
Plymouth Art in the Park. 
“I’m in the studio every day 
and think it’s the best therapy in 
the world,
” she said. “I love the 
Potters Market.
” 
All the artists showing their 

work in the market take on dif-
fering responsibilities through-
out the event, and Laine works 
in the Bulk Area, where items 
need to get restocked. Other 
artists can be seen handling the 
checkout registers and helping 
customers in many ways, such 
as contact with specific artists.
Laine, a returning artist for 
many years, describes the Bulk 
Area as a place for offering 
many economical items, some 
starting at $5. Included are 

mugs, tiles, garden art, whim-
sical items and vessels made 
from stoneware, earthenware, 
porcelain, raku and smoke-fired 
materials.
Erdstein’s range of projects 
includes decorative tiles to hang 
on walls, abstract tall figures, 
pitchers, vases and bowls. A 
retired architect, he started 
showing his ceramic pieces 
in 2013 and retains a meno-
rah from a group of items he 
showed years ago. 

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Details
The Annual Potters Market 
has the following hours: 
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 1, 10 
a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 10 
a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3 with free 
admission at the Southfield 
Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen 
Road. Preview Night 6-9 
p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 
is $10. (248) 398-6846. 
thepottersmarket.com.

Potters Market 
The annual event at the Southfi
 eld Pavilion 
is a great place to fi
 nd holiday gifts.

ARTS&LIFE
POTTERY

Works by 
Rachail Laine

Shoppers 
browse work 
at last year’s 
Potters Market.

